Bibliotherapy Mike Craig Professional Seminar Independent Study Presentation November 25, 2000

Bibliotherapy – A Definition  Most simply, bibliotherapy is “the use of books to help people solve problems” (Aiex, 1993).  It is the sharing of literature and the family of techniques to guide that sharing of literature to facilitate structured interaction between the facilitator and the participant.

Bibliotherapy - Benefits  Affective benefits –Self-esteem and Self-confidence –Cathartic release –Psychological relief –Realize they are not alone –Helps students with exceptional needs or those dealing with painful issues, deal with their problems in an effective, realistic, and sensitive manner.

Bibliotherapy - Benefits  Cognitive –Increase literacy skills. –Critical thinking (analysis, drawing conclusions, decision-making, and problem solving). –A vehicle for discussion of sensitive issues in non-threatening manner. –Self-understanding, coping, conflict resolution, and self-evaluations skills

Bibliotherapy - Considerations  Requires training in guided reading and bibliotherapeutic technique  Not a cure-all that can be used in every situation. It is best used in conjunction with other techniques (e.g. family therapy).  Requires a large number of books on a variety of topics.  It is a process. It is not handing a child with a problem a storybook about a character with that problem.

Bibliotherapy - Stages  Identification  Catharsis  Insight

Bibliotherapy - Process  Selection  Introduction  Reading  Gestation  Follow-up

Bibliotherapy - Summary  A valuable technique for educators that can be used both with a single student and with a group of students.  Similar to guided reading techniques.  Has many benefits both affective and cognitive for students in need or crisis.  Requires thoughtful planning and education to be successful.

Questions?

Bibliotherapy Bibliography  Aiex, N.K. (1993). Bibliotherapy. ERIC Digest. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED ).  Bernstein, J. E. (1989). Bibliotherapy: How Books Can Help Young Children Cope. In M. K. Rudman (Ed.), Children’s Literature: Resource for the Classroom (pp ). Norwood, Massachusetts: Christopher-Gordon Publishers Inc.  Cornett, C. E., Cornett, C. F. (1980) Bibliotherapy: The Right Book at the Right Time. Bloomington Indiana: Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation.

Bibliotherapy Bibliography  Doll, B., Doll, C. (1997). Bibliotherapy with Young People. Englewood, Colorado: Libraries Unlimited Inc.  Johnson, C.E., Wan, G., Templeton, R.A., Graham, L.P., Sattler, J.L. (2000) “Booking it” to Peace: Bibliotherapy Guidelines for Teachers. Peoria, Illinois: College of Education and Health Services, Bradley University. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED ).